Greenland’s future should be decided solely by island, Denmark: British premier

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Greenland’s future should be decided solely by the island and Denmark, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, in response to renewed suggestions from the US President Donald Trump that the US should annex the semi-autonomous territory.

Speaking to the BBC, Keir Starmer said: “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. And Denmark is a close ally in Europe, is a Nato ally and it is very important that the future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark and for Greenland themselves and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”

The comments came after Trump again raised the possibility of the US acquiring Greenland “from the standpoint of national security.”

The idea of Greenland becoming a part of the US has been repeatedly suggested by the president and senior members of his administration, but it has been firmly rejected by both Greenland and Denmark.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen described the notion of US control as a “fantasy”, adding: “That's enough now.”

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, also emphasized the legal impossibility of such a move, saying: “The US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom.”

Starmer was less definitive when asked about the legality of the US’ recent seizure of the Venezuelan president and his wife.

He said: “The US will have to justify the action it has taken,” and added that “we will always defend the international rule of law”, but repeatedly avoided giving a straight answer on whether the action was within international law.